Sculptural Snow Architecture, Winter Wellness and Fire + Frost Converge in Clear Lake, Manitoba

In the heart of Clear Lake in Riding Mountain National Park, Clear Lake Country is emerging as one of Canada’s most distinctive winter destinations — blending sculptural snow architecture, winter wellness, culinary experiences, festivals, and pristine wilderness into an intimate visitor experience designed for travellers seeking authentic winter immersion.

At the centre of this transformation is the Klar So Snow Pavilion, the largest enclosed, roofed snow structure in Western Canada. Equal parts interactive visual art installation, winter architecture, and community event venue, the Pavilion is a bold expression of winter placemaking and a striking new landmark for Clear Lake’s growing cold-season identity.

Presented by Clear Lake Country and sponsored by Elkhorn Resort, the Snow Pavilion is named for the world-class Klar So Spa, now a defining winter attraction in Clear Lake. Designed as a welcoming hub, the Klar So Snow Pavilion complements the community’s winter skating trail system and enhances the storybook winter atmosphere that defines Clear Lake in the colder months.

Rising approximately 16 feet tall and stretching nearly 50 feet in length, the Pavilion blends the nostalgia of childhood snow forts with the ambition of contemporary winter design. Created by Clear Lake Country in collaboration with Anvil Tree, it offers a warm, social space where visitors can gather, orient themselves, and experience winter as something to be embraced rather than endured.

Nestled within Riding Mountain National Park, Clear Lake offers abundant wildlife viewing, exceptional dark skies, and frequent opportunities to experience the northern lights — elements that together define what many consider an iconic Canadian winter experience. These natural assets are paired with a diverse range of winter accommodations, including resort and boutique-style stays, glamping experiences, and curated lodging, alongside an evolving dining scene that continues to draw visitors year-round.

The Klar So Snow Pavilion will serve as the central anchor for Clear Lake Country’s winter programming, including Fire + Frost (March 13th to 15th), a signature winter festival celebrating cold-climate culture through outdoor adventure, fire, art, music, and community gathering. The Pavilion will also host a curated winter culinary experience, showcasing Manitoba chefs, seasonal ingredients, and creative approaches to cold-weather dining inspired by the boreal forest and prairie harvests. Dates and full programming details will be announced soon.

At the heart of Clear Lake’s winter appeal is Klar So Spa at Elkhorn Resort, a world-class wellness experience that has helped redefine winter travel in the region by encouraging visitors to slow down, immerse themselves, and reconnect with the season.

“The Snow Pavilion builds on the momentum Clear Lake has created as a true winter destination,” said Karly McRae, Chair of the Clear Lake Country Destination Enrichment Organization. “It provides a central place for people to gather, warm up, and orient themselves — whether they’re skating, snowshoeing, exploring the park, or simply soaking in the atmosphere.”

As presenting sponsor, Elkhorn Resort continues its role as a cornerstone of winter tourism in the region, with Klar So Spa helping position Clear Lake as a premier cold-season destination in Manitoba and beyond.

Throughout the winter season, the Klar So Snow Pavilion will function as:

• A central hub for winter recreation and wayfinding
• A warming and social gathering space for skaters, snowshoers, and festival-goers
• A venue for curated events, culinary experiences, and community programming
• An iconic visual landmark in the heart of Wasagaming

Construction of the Snow Pavilion is currently underway, with festival dates, culinary programming, and event details to be released in the coming weeks.

For updates, winter itineraries, and event information, visit discoverclearlake.com or follow @clearlakecountry on social media.